Posted in News on Aug 01, 2007.
The Chiefs coach would have been buoyed by the performances of young incumbents Mandla Masango and Tshepo Bulu, as well as defender Onismor Bhasera, who had the crowd on their feet when he scored Chiefs third goal in a 3-1 win with a left footed drive from some distance out.
With Chiefs on a revenge mission this coming Saturday when they take on Orlando Pirates in the second semifinal of this coming weekend's Telkom Charity Cup, the Chiefs coach would have been pleased with the fact that a number of his players were able to get much needed game time ahead of the Charity Cup. A particularly impressive part of Chiefs game on Tuesday was The Amakhosi’s ability to hold on to the ball for long periods of play, which allowed for them to easily dictate the pace of play.
BULU SPOT KICK LEAD
Chiefs were aiming for their first win in four pre-season games on Tuesday and got off to the perfect start when Masango was brought down in the FC AK penalty area, the young attacker had stormed his way past two defenders and almost got past a third before being up ended.
Another of the Chiefs youth brigade Bulu demonstrated a calmness beyond his year as he shouldered the responsibility and stepped forward to take the spot kick, Bulu made no mistake and dispatched the ball past the FC AK keeper in the 15th minute.
FC AK though found a way back into the game in fortuitous circumstances just past the half hour mark, when the referee's assistant was caught unsighted and was not keeping an eye on play. When FC AK attacked and were adjudged to have players in an offside position, with the assistant unable to help the referee out, as a result he allowed play to continue and FC AK took advantage and level matters.
BHASERA STUNNER
Cyril Nzama restored Chiefs lead just before the end of the first half when he ran on to the end of a free kick from the right by Thuso Phala. Nzama timed his run perfectly before meeting the ball as his downward header found the back of the net to put Chiefs 2-1 up going into the half time break.
The Amakhosi continued to dominate matters in the second half and made certain of the result when Bhasera, who has been a revelation since joining Chiefs in July, caught the attention of the sizeable crowd with a stunning goal when he struck the ball with some venom from a midway point between the half way line and the FC AK 18 yard area. The ball flew with some pace through the air before dipping just under the cross bar and rattled the back of the net.
As Chiefs continue with their battle plans for Saturday’s game, Ertugral will be hopeful that his charges will be able to keep the momentum going and produce the same kind of form and instinct in front of goal against Pirates.
Tuesday’s victory would have provided Chiefs with the perfect motivation in order to overcome this weekend's examination against their old foes.
